Snow and Ice

Removing snow and ice promptly from roads, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots is more than a neighborly courtesy. Some communities have ordinances requiring property owners to remove freshly fallen snow within hours. In some cases, failure to do so can result in fines.

For property owners and pedestrians, the consequences of failing to remove snow and ice can be far worse. In one case, a woman slipped and fell on ice in an apartment complex parking lot and broke her ankle. She subsequently died two months later from a blood clot resulting from the fractured ankle. She was survived by three minor and three grown children. Her estate's lawyer successfully sued the property's owner for failing to clear the snow that later turned to ice from the parking lot.

Have you been faced with a similar situation? If so, how did you handle it?

Weighing in on health care reform

Recently, a lot of attention has been given to talk about the need for health care reform. While President Obama is working closely with Congress to introduce legislation that will overhaul the existing health care system to make coverage available for all Americans, Republicans and other tort reformers are arguing that there is a need for a federal cap on malpractice awards as the remedy for our health care system.

Even though sound research clearly shows the legal system does not drive health care costs, inaccurate information about medical malpractice continues to plague honest debate about reforming America’s health care system. Health care reform is about making sure that every American has access to quality, low-cost health care, not about limiting the legal rights of innocent patients harmed by medical negligence.

Medical malpractice is a tiny percentage of health care costs – less the 1 1/2 percent of overall spending – according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Restricting patients’ legal rights would have little to no effect on premiums or health care costs. Medical malpractice suits are less than one percent of the entire civil caseload, and have been declining for nearly a decade. The GAO and CBO have found no evidence of so-called “defensive medicine,” but instead determined that doctors run additional tests to generate more income or help diagnose patients.

Given that estimations of the cost of malpractice litigation is roughly on 2 percent of overall health care spending, economists don’t agree that tort reform (even in the most radical sense) would not significantly cut the costs associated with what Americans spend on health care. Studies show that malpractice lawsuits have the least impact on health care spending, with the aging population, advances in medical technology and an increase in those suffering from chronic conditions being the major causes for the trend in increased spending.

At DLG, know that there is no dollar amount that can replace the loss of life or remove the tragedy associated with injury. Our attorneys aggressively seek settlements and verdicts that remedy actual damages – medical bills, loss of wages, and the like while keeping in mind the pain and suffering aspect for the victims. Malpractice lawsuits will continue to be necessary until health care providers implement measures to ensure the safety and well-being of their patients as their first obligation to, “do no harm.”

A Note from Yao

For as long as I can remember, I have loved the law and helping people. I became a lawyer and founded the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. to be an advocate for those in the community who would otherwise not understand their legal rights and therefore, probably never seek the advice of an attorney. Over the course of my career, I have represented victims involved in all types of injuries, but one thing that I've noticed is that the victims and their families invariably face uncertain futures. Confusion, despair, grief and financial difficulty are all too common, making their injuries even more stressful and the road to recovery difficult to navigate. Our attorneys and staff are compassionate, knowledgeable and trained to respond to each clients individual needs. That's our commitment.

Our attorneys are skilled and often handle complex cases wherein our clients have received substantial verdicts and settlements. If trust, integrity and results matter to you like they do to us, call DLG when you or your loved one is in need. Let us be there for you.